Office-partition and the like.



H. KLEIN. OFFICE PARTITION AND THE LIKE.

v APPLICATION FILED APR. 27. 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. KLEIN. 7 OFFICE PARTITION AND THE LIKE.

APPLIOATIONIILED AIR. 27. 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2? H. KLEIN. OFFICE PARTITION AND THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 27. 1909. 956,642. I

Patented May 3, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

H. KLEIN. OFFICE PARTITION AND THE LIKE, APPLIGATION FILED AYE. 27. 1909.

4 BEBETS-SHEET '4.

Patented May 3, 1910.

HENRY KLEIN, or nnw YORK, N. Y.

onion-P RTITION AND THE LIKE.

Specification oi Letters Patent. Patented May 3, 1910.

Application filed April 27, 1909. Serial No. 492,491.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRI KLEIN, a sub-- jectv of the Emperor of Germany,-and resident of New York city, county'of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Office-Partitions and the Like; and I do herebydeclare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of'theinventio'n, such as will.

enable others skilledin theert to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in partitions for offices or other rooms. or the like; and the objects and nature of the invention will .be readily understood'by those skilled in the art in the light: of the following description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now consider my pre 20 f spirit and scope erred embodiment fromarnong other ormationsand arrangements withln the of niymvention.

A particular object of the invention is to reduce the cost of supplying and setting up, and also of moving or chengingpartitions, in ofiices and other rooms, and to this end, to provide a partition structure of such formationlt-ha't the parts thereof can-be kept in stock-and can be readily-end economically assembled and set up and adjusted to ceil ings of various heights with a. minimum amountgo'f fitting-end which can be readily taken down, changed or moved without seriousinjury to partszthereof.

A further object of the invent-ionis extensible; pi'las'ters forming supportsfor removable-paneled. wood, glass or the like,

whereby thepiIesters-can e kept in stock and "can bereadily-extended-to ceilings of various heights when the partitions are be; ingset up.

' .A' furth r io'bieqt of the in ve'ntion; isto provide certnin irnproven:ents in fittings, details, a-ndiarrangements .nd constructions ofpe'rts, whereby a. highly efli'cient and iin-' groved pertition"construction will be, ro-

need for .ofiice or other r'ooms andw ieh can be readily essembled and 'set. up Ea-lfldcan be easily taken down and moved to other rooms or locations end 'there set up. I Tne lnvention consists in certain novel features in construction-and 1ncombmations and arrangementsof parts'as more. fully and particular .rt pf thund pointed out n mufter.

Referring to the eccompeny'ingj drew 3,. is a vertical section on the line 3-3,

pilaster' as me. p stock, the inner extension being partially I to pmvide e removetile partition embodyingings :-Figure 1, is an elevation of a'portion of a partition constructed in accordance with my invention and extending from the floor to the ceiling, the floor and-ceiling being partially shown in section. Fi%. 2, is a vertical section on the line 2;2, Fig. Fig. 1. Fig. 4, is a detail pers ective view of one of the leveling-or floor locks on which the postsor'pila-sters rest, also showin portions oi two of the bottom or' floor moFdmgs fitted to said block. Fig. 5, is-a. horizontal cross section throu h a corner post or ilaster and portions 0% the partition ane s'fitted thereto. Fig. 6, is a cross section on the line 6-6, Fig. 1. 7, is a.' cross section on the line 7 Fig. 1. Fig. 8, is a cross section on the li ne.8-8, Fig. "-1. Fig. 9, is across section on the line'9- 9, Fig. 1'. Fig. 10, is. a.= cross section on the -1i1'1e-101O,

Fig.1; 11, is a cross section on the line 11-1'1,Fig. 1. Figs..12 ,13,-and 14,:1re detail perspective views of various forms of coupling irons for intermediate end and threeway' pilasters. Fig. 15', is a. cross sectional view similar. to Fig. 5, but showing'a threeway post or pilaster and portions of the partitions secured and connected thereby, Fig... 16, is a'detai l. erspectiv'eview of a.

' (l e up in the shop and ept in Withdrawn to show. the. formation of the upper portion thereof. Fig. 1.7., is a detail perspective view'oi the upper end of a pilaster.

of the aneLsecurin eads f being shown separae d from'thepi aster section, The'par'ltition of f this invention, comprises series -.of spaced vertical posts .ori-lasters' extending from'the floor'to-the eei 1n -a'nd secured .,at 'their opposite endsft o' bot *jt-h e .floor end ceil'i an interveningi section's or filling meteria 'or, elements to closeithe 0st orextension or inner section end portion of .a --glassor other panel fitte'd thereto, portions s ao 'sibetween-the pilestege end 'frointthe oor the 'foeilingjseiidj sections being so bored to' the. ilesters and comprisinggsljdlgidj or"c 1 ,)sed pane sof wood, 1gles s or other-suite able-material. it is necessery and ii-ble thet the partition be'setip'irceurately f; 1 1 Iong level-or horizontal lines, irres pectiveof oer irregularities,unevenness or inclination,

.,I usually set, or'fix the pilgtsters'on fioon or' f 'of ness-acoordin to inclination or. uneven .ness of the floor to brmg'the'lowerends orf- 1 j leveling blocl a, wliich' can; veryin" thick:

basesof the pilasters in the same horizontal plane. Each block a rests horizontally on the floor and is usuallyrectangular and of greater length and breadth than the 'cross sectional dimensions of the pilaster so that "the pilaster and their vertical portions are rigidly secured thereto, and are then covered by facing strips or pieces 0, facing and secured to the lower or baseportions of the vertical side faces of the pilaster.

The ilasters d, at their vertical edges are forme with longitudinal grooves or sockets e, extending rfromtheir lower ends upwardly for a suitable distance to receive thevertical end edges of the lower panel or closing sections f, extending between the pilasters. The panel sections ffare preferably all of the a same dimensions, and each is of a length to extend the'distance between two pilasters and snugly fit and be held by the grooves e, of such pilasters. Each panel section f, rests on and is leveled by the floor blocks a, a, of they two pilasters receiving said panel so that the upper and lower edges and intermediate lines of the panel v parallel with said edges, will be maintained horizontal irrespective of any possible inclination or u nevenness of the floor surface. The horizon tal lower edges of the panel sections I", will be held above the floor surface inasmuch as the end portions of said edges rest on the topfaces of the floor blocks which extend laterally beyond the edges of the pilasters,

and hence to close up both sides of thefspaces between the floor and said panel, section edges and to'provide a finish, I arrange moldings g','on edge at and extending upwardly" alon-gthe opposite side faces of the anel sections and extending from floor ties. ,The end'sof said finishing lock tofloor b oclr and at their lower edges restingon and if necessary out or. finished to art conform to floor iinclin'ations for irre str ps or moldings g, are-fitted into mortises or slots cut-in the floor blocks a,- (see Fig.4)

leaving the, intermediate portions of the floor block ends onfwhich therpanel sections f,

Qrest; These finishing stripsare thus held in place and secured byfhaving their ends fitted 1n the mortisesinthe floor looks so that'the strips extendftofthe edges ofthe pilastersas m1 as tom o'r lower-.edgemf the partition; from pilasterto filasterh p n l-sec i 'ff cl n be finish d by .mol fig ,,ths endstfitting the'edges' of the 1 rife: the glass-.15,-

Ii smeared, he upper sidefafces (at each.

lasters at opposite sides of or beyond the grooves e, as shown by Figs. 1 and 3, al-

though I do not wish to limit'my invention to the moldings f. I preferably finish the longitudinal top ed e of each panel section as a molding f ra% receive the lower longitudinal e ge of a glass or other panel, as hereinafter described, and to receive bead f, for'securing such panel, in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The main portion or body of each pilaster is preferably tubular 'or hollow throughout its length, and if so desired, can be composed of two spaced arallel strips, boards or moldings d to orm the ornamental opposite longitudinal side faces of the pilaster, and thetwo longitudinal parallel spaced stri s or moldings d, arran ed between parts d and at their edges suitalily secured and fixed thereto and inconnection with the edges ofsaid arts forming the opposite edges of the pilasten- The outer faces of moldings d, are longitudinally grooved throughout their lengths to form the sockets e, for the panel sections f, as hereinbefore described;

The spaces between the pilasters and inimediately above panel sections f, are filled in by sections forming upward oontinuations of sections f, and secured thereto, and if so desired can be made as part thereof and thus. kept in stock to be fitted to the pilasters as one piece, as the artition is set up. How-. ever, in the speci c example illustrated, the said sections extendin up from sections 7', are glazed, although I 0 not wish to so limit my invention, and as shown, each such section comprises a glass panel or pane it, throughout its lower longitudinal edgefitted in the aforementioned rabbeted portion of the top edgeof panel section f, and secured therein by bead f, while the vertical edges of the glass panel are 'fitted'in the longitudi nal rabbeted portions of vertical moldings f fitted in the grooves e, of the pilasters and arranged longitudinally thereof and projecting laterally therefrom vto form the vertical rails of the sash orframe for the glass. 'The moldings f", are 'rabbeted (see f, Fig. 1G,) longitudinally in a manner sim- 'ilar to and on the'same side as the moldings f". and are provided with separate beads)", to secure the glass in said rabbeted portions, see Fig. 7. The lower ends of the moldings f and the ends of-the moldings 1f,are pref erably beveled to fit together and formmiter joints, see Fi bet-ed alon one side to The verticzfi end edges ofthe top or hori-g:

zontal rail or bar f of [the-sash or frame it is: the stapes pertiens' ef the grooves e, in the edges of the, pilasters ends of the lower edge portions of the and theendsofisaid ba'rs f restori ,the'" upperiends of, the vertical.moldingsf and f,

the upper. ends of moldings ff and the i 7 bars 7', are preferably beveled to meet and at their ends abutting the e form miter Joints as shown by F i 1. The lower longitudinal edge )ortion 0 each bar f is preferably longitudinally rabbeted on one side, the same as bars f, f", to receive the upper longitudinaledge of glass h, which is secured' therein by a separate bead similar to the beads f, f. The bars f constitute the partition and connect the upper-ends of the main or body portions of the'pilasters and if so desired can be r ovided above their side faces with longitudi nices or comparatively he? moldings f",

g'es of the pilastors and forming a finish. Also, the side faces of the upper ends of the body portions of the pilasters can be providedwith cornice sections d arranged between :the ends of the cornices f". I I I I usually provide couplingirons whereby the upper end of each pilaster body can be rigid stren thened. In the specific example lllJS- trate ,-ea ch'coupling consists of an elongated iron bar. 2', extending transversely across the upper end of the pilaster body and arranged .longitudinally on ;the top edges of the top; bars 1, fitting said body by removable vertical screws or the like, see Figs. 2, 3, 8, and 12, "whereby the'top bars are-tied together across and to the pilaster. The central portion of the coupling; is formed -IWitha central opening or as an open loop 5', so as not toclose or obstruct the open upper end of the hollow pilaster body.

The parts of the partition as thus far described, can each be made of fixed uniform interchangeable sizes, and kept in stock.

Standard s i'z es'canv be made say,"-to form a partition about seven feet high more or less,

that is shorter than the usual height of c'e'il ing's,.and. .the ilasters will all be alike and in't'erchangea'b e,'- and the sfame fact applies to the various-'pahel section'sand othenp'art's. The pilaste'r' bodiescan be made up in the i and kept in "stock, as shownin Fig. .16,

"the vertical bars f, secured at the \vi't proper-locations in the pila'ster body ed e rooves'toilea ve the grooves-open below Sillfli hars'toreceive-the pane-l sections and to cause proper lmeeting; and fittingv between thelo'weriendsof bars ft, and o'fthe section's ff'a'nd' between the per ends of said'bajrsn t e tOP' a s nd cave the upper-parts off "ca es e, opento receive the top bars.

' P' r f, all Lg estates! Logg d-a, soars Lobe 'interchan'gpeable end-kept in stock ."so that partscan g partition as, shown-in"- s cr'ibechiwithotit requiring and waitingior mill ehshopfworkiior eaf'ch' particularbrder and alt-heat requiring cutting.

'orpirtition' nal projecting cory secured to the top bars 7, fitted thereto and the partition thereby braced and thesame according tothe height ofthe' coil} always kept instock' toset up a ig'. 1, and safer de-" by a sfcl'id' elongated In starting to set up a partition of my invention from a wall, a-pilasteris usually Se;- cured at the wall anda ainst a strip cut to conform to the wall an the wash board 'or the like, and if so desired, a coupling irpnz', such as shown in Fig. 13, can be employed. to secure the pilaster body to the top bar fitted thereto, and at itsopposite end having a spur 2' to be' driven into the wall to secure the upper end of the pilaster body thereto; At corners in the partitions, corner pilasters can be provide as shown by Fig. 5, the construction being practically the same as that herein before described, with the exception that the hollow body'is formed angular in cross section and the/parts d:, are duplicated and angularly joined at their edges. Also, wherever it is necessary to extend a partition laterally-at right angles from an intermediate paltof another parti tion, a three way pilaster can be provided as shown by Fig. 15, embodying the construction practically as hereinbefore described. Ceilings in different. rooms or apartments vary in height, and where'it is desired to extend a partition fromthe top bars 7 to the ceiling, I provide extension means and filling members or anels whereby the space between top bars f and the ceiling can be closed economically and with a lninlmuin of labor in settin up and practically in. all

end, I render l'each post or ila'ster upwardly extensible, or insother wor s, I provide/each pila'ster body with an auxiliary or supplerne ntalmember which is vertically adjust-- able with respect to the body to extend "a greater or lesser distance upwardly beyond in I,

the particular example illustrated, each tubular or hollow' pilaster body, eontainsan elongatedpost or'pilaster section 4', teleg scoped therein to and arranged, parallel;

therewith and adapted to slide longitudi;

nally thereof to"-proje ct .itsupp r end j t lie desired distan'ce upwardly 'therefrbxn, 1.

Figs. 1,- 2, and 1 6.; This extension-1 or SQQi iQQ slidably within the body and mcross sectionrcan general 7 'fO'lIi] to the cross sectional fo r m of t terior ofsaid body and is usually teri'al, and-at it's upperie'nd is usuallyia-rmed' with an upwardly projecting pin or. dowel fannedthe s ned ma,

j, to be forced into the ceiling when the extension member is moved upwardly from the pilaster body into engagement with the ceiling. The pin j, when thus forced into the ceiling will brace and steady the extension member and the partition against, lateral deflection. When the pilaster, body is fixed in place and its extension member has been forced to place against the ceiling, the member-can be locked or secured-in its vertical. adjustment by any suitable means or in .any suitable manner. For instance,in thespecific example illustrated I show angle brackets is, having their vertical portions arranged at the opposite side faces of each member 7', and their horizontal portions fixed on the upper ends of the pilaster bodies'wheresaid members extend upwardly through the openings or yokes i, of the coupling irons Each extension'member can thus be fixed and secured in the desired vertical adjustment by screw is, passed horizontallyand removably into the opposite side faces of the member and through the vertical portions of said brackets, see Fig. 2, thereby rigidly and securely fastening the member to the body and completing the pilaster from the floor to the ceillng. Thespaces between the extension members can be filled in with suitable sashes or other panel sections and to this end 1 show each extension member throughout its opposite longitudinal edges (extending the upper end portions thereof) cut or formed of mold ing or ogee shape and each rabbeted longi-' tudinally on one side, and rovided with a separate or removable longitudinal bead 7' as described in connection with the rails i and other edges of the frames receiving glass panels h. The vertical end edges of the glass or other panels Z, extending between the members' 7', are fitted in the rab-' beted portions thereof and are secured by thebea'dsjfi The lower longitudinal edges of the panels Z, are secured by beads, such as heretofore described. in longitudinal rabbeted portions '7 in the top edges of horizontal rails or bars Z5, resting longitudinally on the edges of the top bars f, of the main partition and on .theto'p ends of the pilaster bodies. Each rail 2, extends the distance between two extensions j and at its opposite ends'is vertically cutor recessed to fit and receive the edges oflsaid "extensions, as shown by Fig. 11, so that the rails-l, are heldagainst lateraldis ,lace'ment; The 'top longitudinal ed es oft e panels Z, are secured in longitu "nal rabbete'd port ons in the lower ed es of horizontal bars or rails 12, byremovahle beads in the-same manneras the rneans for fastening the vertical edges ofsa'id'. anels 1.

Each ba l extends the; distance tween two adjacent extension membersgndat its -fitted to the 'edges of said members.

ends is bodies, the bars Z,

For instance in the particular example illus trated, I show the upper end portion of each extension member j formed with vertical edge grooves j", extending down to the upper ends of the moldings which comprise beads j and which recelve panels Z. The ends of bars Z can be formed with tenons or tongues to fit in said grooves j, and rest at the closed lower ends thereof. The {bars l at both sides can be provided (with the proecting cornices Z arranged longitudinally thereof corresponding cornice pieces jF, can alsobe secured to the side. faces of the ex tension-members, see Figs. 1, 2 and 10. 1

The spaces between the*to edges of bars 1 and the ceiling can be fil ed in by'strips or filling pieces n, at their lower edges resting longitudinally on the upper edges of bars Z and at their ends fitting grooves j, and if sodesired, moldings 0, can be arranged atopposite faces of the strips n, and extending along and fitted to the ceilin to conceal the upper edges of said stripsanh to provide for irregularities and inclination of the ceiling, inasmuch as the stri s n, will be maintained horizontal or leve irrespective of ceiling irregularities.

The construction of the extension portions of the partition is such that the extension members j, can be all of the same dimension and hence can be made up and kept instock, and the same is and strips a; so that said parts can be built up from. the, main partitionin-practically r11 instances notwithstanding the variations in the heights of ceilings in different rooms or "buildings. In any instance, the extension members are forced up the-required distance to engage the ceiling, and whatever the disproject above the pila'ster tance said members I willrest on the pilas'ter bodies and bars f fit the edges. of the exten sion members, and whatever distance said members may be projectedupwardly, the bars 1 and. strips 42., will enter the grooves 'j*, .-so that variations'inthe distances between thebars I and. :1 in different partir tions, can be accommodated or taken up by the strips n, which-can be easily supplied in each ihstance, ofthe-desired vertical width.

true of the bars Z and Z I the glass panels l, and'if so desired also by The panels Z, are usually of glass and are not put in unti l.after the partition vis set up, so that when any artition is 'set up nfieasurementsare taken or glass panels and t e beads, orin any other desirable "mannerfas and furthermore 7 glass. or panels oi otmrmm' .terialca'n be emp Oyed will also be noted that partitions 'of my less is then cut to the required size-and "fitte in and fastened by theremovable where desire'dlin mypartition and doors can be rovided where, esiredinthe place of. pan s f and h. It"

' pilasters.- a

' pilasters to the ceiling, s

are adapted to seat and, be secured, said blocksbeing mortised at'the ends to receive finishing moldings between adjacent blocks and for the lower e es of the partitionsections, said blocks hav'ln end ortions adaptsections fitted to and extendingbetween said 15. A partition com rising pilasters having bottom j securing by fzistenings", assed through said brackets and blocks and into the floor, and partition sections extendin between and fitted ,to the pilasters and leve edby saidfloorblocks.

16. A partition comprising interchangeable -pilas'ters having partitlon-section receiving-,and-holdinglongitudinal edges, floor rackets, floor blocks onwhichsaidpilasters seat and are secured assess blocks onwhich said pilas'ters are seated,

and partition sections extending between and fitted to said edges of, the pilasters and seat ed on andleveled by said blocks.

17 A partition comprising interchange ,able pilas'ters, interchangeable partition sections between and removably fitted to said pilasters, top extension panels from said per endsof adjacent members.

partition. sections and the upper ends of said and coupling irons ridging the upper en of the 'plla'sters and secured. longitudinally on the upper edges of the adjacent 'plartltion sections, substantiallyas describe 18. A partition comprising pilasters provided with extension members arran d 1ongitudinally thereof and adapted to proected upwardly therefrom to the ceiling and -at their upper ends having means for securing the same to the ceiling, means for fix-- ing saidmembers to the pilasters in the de sired adjustment, and partition sections to close inthe spaces betweensaid pilaster's and their said members. H,

j ,19. A partition comprising hollow pilas ters, extension members therein and movable upwardly through the upper ends there,

Lofxto fit theceiling,"partit1on sections be- 1 t' iween' the pilasters'a'nd said members, coupl n'g'iro ns secured to certaln partltion sec V leveling fioor' blocks on which said pilasters tions and bridging thepil asters and passing around said members and means at the upper ends of said pi asters 'for removablj;

fixing said members thereto and a ainst vertical movement whenadjusted to t 1e ceiling.

20. As an article of-manufacture, a par.-

tition pilaster at its edges having grooves toceive partition to extension sections and re-- movable heads I or securin'gthe same and at its upper end having longitudinal edge grooves to receive top bars between the up .22. A partition comprising interchangeable pi1astersfhaving top extension members arranged longitudinally thereof said artitionpilastersand members formed 'ongitudinall at-theired'ges tore 'n'ovably receive and he 'd partition sections, .said sections comprising interchangeable lower panel seetiofi's, interchangeable top bars, interchangeable partition top-extension panel bars, sub-- stantlally as vdescribed. V v

23. A partition comprising, in combination; interchangeable pilasters formed at their sideedges to receive and hold parti- "tion sections, means to secure the lower ends offsa-id ,pilasters" to the ,floor, interchan e extension member. adj'ustab e lon- 7 able partition sectionsgand interchanges 1e 7 partition top extensions having vertical bars secured to the upper ends'of said'pilasters and extending ,to-the ceiling, substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, I

in presence oi two witnesses."

. ENRY KLEIN. Witnesses:

O. KoHN, 1 Saxoon Snvas'rsn. 

